Boston-based menswear brand taking over an Extra Place retail space

Over here on East First Street at Extra Place, a designer is taking over one of the spaces...

It's Scott James ... per the company website, it's a Boston-based menswear brand ... "that encompasses both the sophisticated, casual look of the Italian man along with the playful, color-rich attitude of the American consumer. It is the American approach to Anglo Italian. Rooted in color, texture, and pattern, scott james is a luxury clothing line without the luxury pricing."

And more!

In seeking to please the “artists of living" for whom we build the collection, we are always inspired when we encounter materials of supreme quality. Our school of thought is, “Why not wear cashmere year-round" ...

Anyway, this store takes over from the Tashkent by Cheyenne showroom that closed in the spring...

We're still in a recession

This and the dumplings special at Vanessa's confirms it.

Oh, and $2,100 for a one bedroom apartment? Hate to see it we weren't in a recession...



At 10th Street and Avenue A.

STILL no need to thank me (and book your rooms by FEBRUARY 31!)

From the EV Grieve in-box... You may recall this offer the first time around last November...

Hello E.V. The exclusive offer for a complimentary night for you and your readers at The Surrey Hotel is nearing a close! The Surrey is one of the newest and most artistically robust hotels to debut in NYC in recent years, The Surrey. The hotel debuted on November 12 in Manhattan's most exclusive neighborhood, the Upper East Side, and it premiered with an extensive art collection—including works by Jenny Holzer, Jimmie Martin, Richard Serra, Donald Sultan and William Kentridge—and 3-star, in-room dining by Cafe Boulud.

Built in Beaux-Arts architectural design, The Surrey has just concluded a $60+ million dollar re-creation by renowned architectural and interior designer Lauren Rottet, FAIA, IIDA. Beaux-Arts/Art Deco custom-designed furnishings and fixtures fill the walls of this 1900s structure with pieces such as hand-painted armoires and ornate walnut cabinetry. Sprinkled throughout the 17 floors, guests also encounter captivating black & white photos of New York and unexpected graffitied pieces.

The Surrey features 190 salons, including 30 suites, a Penthouse and a Presidential suite, that range from 350 to 4,500 square feet. At the heart of all salons and suites is the handcrafted DUX bed by Duxiana, engineered for perfect support, and dressed in Sferra bedding.

As an introductory package for your readers, are pleased to present you with a complimentary room when reserving a minimum of two-night stay. To reserve your room at The Surrey simply click and use the Promotional Code: SOCGO at check out. This offer is valid for stays starting November 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010 and must be booked by February 31, 2010 with rates starting at $549 per night.

Feb. 31? I think they're fucking with us...

Previously on EV Grieve:
No need to thank me

Marc Jacobs keeps the "East Village spirit" alive at Bergdorf Goodman

From The Purse Page:

Unless you’re in the market for a nose piercing, a pleather bustier, or a pair of $5 sunglasses, New York’s St. Marks area isn’t exactly a fashion hotspot for most people. Yet Marc Jacobs has been able to effectively channel some of that punky East Village spirit in his new St. Marks Hobo, a quilted black satin handbag that’s been studded (like most St. Marks denizens) for extra edge; the chunky black chain strap also oozes downtown street style. I love the combo of high and low fashion - something Marc is always so great at! Available for pre-order at Bergdorf Goodman for $1,850.

Should go nicely with your $90 Bowery T-shirts.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Admiring the fashion sense of "the girls that live in the East Village"

Balducci's bows out

From the Post:

Balducci's, the storied high-end grocery chain that first opened in Greenwich Village 63 years ago, is closing its two Manhattan locations at the end of the month.

Balducci's is probably best remembered by New Yorkers for its store on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village, which operated from 1972 to 2003.

After the Greenwich Village store shuttered, Balducci's only Manhattan location for a while was on West 66th Street near Lincoln Center.

That store will close, as will what is now Balducci's Manhattan flagship, a 17,000-square-foot store that opened in 2005 in a former bank at Eighth Avenue and 14th Street in Chelsea.

Be sure to check out the reader comments!

Noted

"Sitting in new Yankee Stadium on the first day fans came to the $1.5 billion ballpark, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner admitted some tickets might be overpriced given the recession but insisted the team read the market correctly for most of them." (ESPN)

(And that's Hal on the left of everyone's favorite all-star!)

Fatcats to pay top dollar for chance to heckle Jets upclose

By now, no doubt, you have already registered for the ultra-supreme tickets at the New Jets Stadium. Check out the Coaches Club...where you can stand on the field -- just five yards off the Jets bench! Oh, and access to a private 20,000 square-foot bar and lounge!



As the Post reports, at least one fatcat has already overpaid, which prompted giggles. And quips!

Looks like the mystery mortgage mogul who shelled out $400,000 for the rights to buy the two best seats in the house for Jet games fumbled the timing of the market.
That's because the "personal seat licenses" for nearby seats in the much-hyped Coaches Club section at the new stadium are selling for less than a third of the price the fat-cat fanatic paid.
"Maybe he's used to overpaying for assets," quipped Kyle Burks, president of Season Tickets Rights, referring to the current mortgage meltdown.

He must now also fork over another $14,000 per year for his actual season tickets.

And check out the incredibly life-like artist rendering...And just what is going on with head coach Eric Mangini on the far left?

Is the game in his pocket?

Candidates for the John Varvatos Preservationist of the Month Club

From the Times today:

The 21-story Cooper Square Hotel may be an imposing presence on the Lower East Side, but its interiors have an intimate scale more evocative of neighborhood buildings. In fact, the hotel was built around one of them, a 19th-century tenement that was not torn down because two tenants refused to move. “It would have been much cheaper to demolish,” said Carlos Zapata, center in picture, the designer, but in the end “the tenement had a positive effect” on the design, inspiring smaller, more livable interior spaces. The first two floors of the tenement became the hotel’s library and offices; the third and fourth house the two tenants, who have their own entrance.

For guests, who will pay $375 to $1,000 a night ($7,500 for the penthouse), “the hotel means to be a home away from home,” said Klaus Ortlieb, left in picture, who developed the $115 million project with Matt Moss, right in picture, his partner at MK Hotels. Among other things, that means there is no formal check-in desk in the lobby, above right: The registration process will take place out of sight, while guests are greeted by a hostess bearing drinks.

Previously on EV Grieve:
“This used to be an area where people got their start. Now it’s a place to land once you’ve made it.”


[Photo: Rebecca McAlpin for The New York Times]

New bar on Avenue A has pianos, fancy drinks and referral-only reservations

Thrillist has the following item today on Ella, the piano bar at 9 Ave. A that opens Thursday:

From the Gallery Bar guys, Ella's a semi-private, bi-level, black-lacquered and mirror-bedecked lounge that aims to provide classy ivory tickling from both accomplished house acts and the occasional signed artist (read: people no longer offering music lessons). The intimate, b&w-tiled downstairs sports a jet-black upright Yamaha, a small stage for jazz/blues/torch singers, and a DJ booth, all under a multi-colored lit ceiling evocative of Willy Wonka's terrifying psychedelic tunnel. For a break from the crooning, walk up to the chandeliered, Tinseltown-chic bar & lounge: floral-print couches and semi-circular red suede banquettes fresh from the '07 Oscars flanking a 15-seat bar, which slings speciality cocktails inspired by post-WWII cinema, e.g., the vodka & muddled grape Daisy Kenyon, and the ginny Mildred Pierce ("if you loved Working Girl...").

Ella's opening Thursday, reservations are referral only, and the door policy is doorman's discretion -- so there's a decent chance you'll be stranded outside with Paul and Davy, who's still in the Navy, and probably still hasn't finished The Duplex Supremacy.

Oh, and here's their drink menu.

Meanwhile, in London: In case you're in Notting Hill tonight

Off topic (again)...Regardless, wanted to share this invite that was forwarded to me...:

“Select Group, the Swankiest party in town!”
Whilst most of us are facing a long miserable winter with a nose-diving economy, it appears that the cream of London’s A-listers are setting their sights to sunnier (and more profitable) climbs as they flock to the biggest and most prestigious party in London, of the year!

On the 25th September 2008, Select Property & Select Group Limited will be celebrating the launch of its new unique development in Dubai named ‘Aquitainia’ and who better to host this spectacular soiree than the ‘million dollar baby’ herself, Hilary Swank!

Two-time Oscar winner Swank, who is renowned for her astute business brain and love of Dubai, will play host at boutique hotel ‘The Hempel’ in Notting Hill showcasing the deluxe beachfront properties that epitomize glamour and style and are attracting fellow A-listers in droves.

This is the first time since 2006 that Miss Swank will be back in London Town, and she brings with her Grammy Award winner Kelly Rowland! Miss Rowland, a regular visitor and huge star in Dubai, will be setting the live soundtrack to the evening with whilst the guests rub shoulders and mingle with their potential new neighbours.

Miss Swank isn’t pulling any punches with this affair and has confirmed many other guests – to be announced nearer the time.
It looks like everyone who is anyone wants a piece of this million dollar action and with names in Aquitainia like ‘Cannes Beach Villas’, ‘Monaco Villas’ and ‘St Tropez Marina’ these properties are simply out of this world and a world away from the doom and gloom of the UK’s headlines.

There will be unique interview opportunities with Miss Swank and Miss Rowland. For more information or interview opportunities with Miss Swank or Miss Rowland, please contact XXXXX

MISS SWANK WILL PROVIDE A PRESS STATEMENT BEFORE ENTERING THE VENUE IN A PRIORLY APPROVED AREA OUTSIDE THE VENUE.

Information about the Party

The event in London will take place in “The Hempel” boutique hotel located in London’s Notting Hill. The event will include a champagne reception, speeches and live performances.

The party will take place between 19:00 – 22:00 on Thursday 25th September 2008.